Trump’s New Drug Czar Brings Border and Cartel Expertise to a Shifting Drug War

The Senate on Jan. 6 confirmed Sara A. Carter Bailey as the nation’s new “drug czar” by a 52–48 vote.

Carter, who was nominated by President Donald Trump in March 2025, will serve as director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), succeeding Rahul Gupta.

In her new role, Carter will help lead the administration’s fight against illicit drugs and drug cartels, the White House said in a press release. She brings extensive experience as an investigative journalist who has covered drug cartels and mapped trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“As ONDCP director, I will work tirelessly to achieve a safe and healthy America, where a drug-free life is the prevailing norm,” Carter said in a statement. “This is a turning point for our nation. President Trump is putting the American people first. Under his leadership, we will reassert our fundamental right to live healthy lives. We will hold accountable the narco-terrorists who infringe upon this right by deliberately poisoning tens of thousands of Americans each year.”

The National Safety Council praised Carter’s appointment.

“NSC looks forward to continuing our collaboration on important safety issues, including drug overdose, driver impairment and cannabis rescheduling,” said Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, in a statement.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dina Titus, co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, urged the newly confirmed drug czar to follow the science and support full marijuana legalization, according to Marijuana Moment.

Titus said Carter should go beyond the administration’s recent rescheduling order by backing cannabis descheduling and fully implementing the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act, which was introduced last year.

“The new ONDCP director must commit to common-sense, evidence-based cannabis policy,” Titus wrote in a post on X. “That includes supporting marijuana descheduling and fully implementing my Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act so that federal decisions are guided by science, not stigma.”